ACT® Science

Correct Assertion

ACTSCI-XEFYBC

Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS) in an acute illness which causes muscle weakness. The paralysis starts from the lower limbs and ascends upwards. The severity of disease is graded from 1 to 5 based upon the extent of disability.

Grading of Guillain Barré Syndrome

Table 1.1

Grade

Description

Grade 1

Mild to moderate disability

Grade 2 - 3

Severe Disability

Grade 4 - 5

Very severe disability requiring respiratory support

A study was undertaken to find the association between the age when the disease develops, duration of onset and severity of disability. 50 cases of GBS in each of the given age groups were studied. The results of the study are shown in the figure and the table below.

Figure 1.1

Table 1.2

Age of Patients

Average duration of onset of disease

Average duration of hospitalization

0 - 2 years

7 days

14 days

2 - 5 years

8 days

10 days

5 - 13 years

9 days

9 days

13 - 18 years

3 days

30 days

18 - 40 years

8 days

10 days

40 - 60 years

7 days

14 days

60 - 70 years

7 days

14 days

Based on the data given, which of these is incorrect?

A

Grade 2-3 Guillain Barré Syndrome is the most common form of the disease.

B

The graph of the proportion of very severe disease at various ages will have two peaks, one in adolescence and the other in old age.

C

The incidence of Grade 1 GBS is the same in the age groups of 18-40 years and 40-60 years.